Why are Michigan’s cities falling behind when it comes to “family-friendly” rankings? A recent national study has raised eyebrows by placing Michigan near the bottom of the pack. In WalletHub’s latest “Best & Worst Places to Raise a Family” report, Michigan ranked No. 38 out of 50 states, making it the worst in the Midwest for families. Even more startling: among 182 U.S. cities compared, Detroit came in at 181st (second from last). Only Memphis, TN scored lower, while Grand Rapids, Michigan’s other entrant landed around the middle at 100th. These findings have left many locals puzzled, especially those who’ve experienced Michigan as a great place to raise kids. In this deep dive, we’ll explore what’s behind these rankings, how they square with on-the-ground reality, and what it means for families in the Mitten State.
Breaking Down the Family-Friendly Rankings
What exactly do these “family-friendly” rankings measure? WalletHub’s analysis looked at five key dimensions of family life in cities: Family Fun, Health & Safety, Education & Child Care, Affordability, and Socio-Economics. Within each category, dozens of data points were evaluated, from the number of playgrounds and parks, to crime rates, school quality, housing costs, and median family incomes. Each city earned a score and rank for each category, which together determined its overall placement.
Michigan’s scores tell a story of contrasts. At the state level, Michigan did quite well in Affordability (14th in the nation), reflecting our reasonable housing costs and cost of living. This isn’t surprising to longtime Michiganders; being able to buy a comfortable family home at a reasonable price is one of the perks of living here. Michigan also landed in the middle of the pack for Health & Safety (25th) and Socio-Economics (around 28th), indicating average crime rates, income levels, and employment figures compared to other states.
However, Michigan faltered in the realms of Education & Child Care and Family Fun (ranking around 40th in both). These lower scores suggest struggles with K-12 school performance, childcare access, and perhaps fewer family-oriented recreational offerings than top-ranked states. In other words, we’re affordable, but parents may worry about school quality and finding enough kid-friendly activities. And when you zoom in to the city level, the gaps widen, especially in Detroit.
While WalletHub noted fewer outdoor amenities, many parents know Metro Detroit is full of year-round indoor fun, see our parent’s guide to indoor fun for kids in Metro Detroit
Why Detroit and Other Michigan Cities Scored So Low
Detroit’s near-bottom ranking was driven by a convergence of challenges, mostly under the socio-economic and safety umbrellas. The Motor City has made great strides in recent years, but the statistics from this report were tough to swallow. Detroit finished dead last (182nd) for socio-economic measures, dragged down by the lowest median family income of any city (even after adjusting for cost of living) and the highest share of families living in poverty nationwide. In fact, the typical family income in affluent Columbia, MD is over three times higher than in Detroit, and **families in Detroit are about 9.3 times more likely to live below the poverty line than those in top-ranked Overland Park, KS. These are sobering figures that reflect decades of economic struggle in Detroit, from the loss of manufacturing jobs to population decline and disinvestment.
Detroit also struggles with public safety indicators. While the city has vibrant, resilient communities, its overall crime rate remains high. WalletHub’s study didn’t publish every crime stat in the summary, but it noted that some cities have over 50 times the violent crime rate of the safest ones. Detroit, unfortunately, is among those with elevated crime, contributing to a bottom-ten finish in the Health & Safety category. High crime not only endangers families physically but also weighs on mental well-being and community morale.
Education and childcare proved to be another weak spot. Detroit ranked near the bottom (180th) for Education & Child Care, reflecting long-standing issues in Detroit Public Schools and access to early childhood services. The city has been working to improve its schools, but outcomes and graduation rates still lag behind national norms. Additionally, many Detroit parents face limited nearby childcare options, a challenge echoed by residents who often commute across town for quality daycare or preschool programs.
Beyond Detroit, other Michigan communities also face headwinds in these rankings. Grand Rapids, for instance, scored relatively low in Family Fun (ranked 162nd) and Education (139th) despite being Michigan’s highest-ranked city overall. This suggests that even our more prosperous mid-sized cities may lack some of the amenities or top-tier school metrics that coastal or Sun Belt cities offer. Climate could be a factor, our long winters can limit outdoor recreation, as could funding levels for parks and extracurricular programs.
It’s worth noting that Michigan’s demographics and economic history affect these rankings. The state’s pockets of deep poverty (in cities like Detroit and Flint) drastically pull down averages. WalletHub highlighted that Detroit has the nation’s highest rate of families relying on food stamps, and one of the highest divorce rates among major cities. Such factors feed into a lower socio-economic score. On the flip side, Michigan’s strengths, like affordability, are more evenly spread and thus less dramatically high in any one city. In short, our challenges are concentrated, while our advantages are moderate, leading to mediocre scores overall.
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Local Perspectives: Michigan Families Weigh In
Numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. Talk to parents in Detroit or Grand Rapids, and you’ll hear that raising a family here is a nuanced experience with both positives and negatives. Local parents and community leaders point out that these rankings overlook the strong community bonds and grassroots improvements happening in Michigan’s cities.
For example, many Detroit parents actually rave about their neighborhood support networks and sense of community. “I really love our neighborhood. The best part about living here is the community,” says Frankie, a mother of two on Detroit’s east side. “We have made so many wonderful friends that I actually consider family… When we recently lost our child care option, two stay-at-home moms nearby offered to help. I don’t think it gets better than that.” Her experience highlights an often unsung advantage of Detroit life: neighbors who look out for each other. Tight-knit communities can be a lifesaver for working parents, and Detroit has them in droves, from Southwest Detroit to Indian Village to Grandmont-Rosedale.
Parents also note that there are good schools and youth programs in Detroit, even if the overall school system struggles. “People don’t talk about how good some of the schools in Detroit are,” Frankie observes, mentioning gems like Detroit Edison Public School Academy and University Prep that have impressed her. Another Detroit father, James, said he never questioned raising his kids in the city, but he did have to hunt for the right fit. “The challenge came when we wanted to find a place we felt was the right fit… we found no child care centers in our neighborhood, so all of our children are now commuting with us every day downtown,” he explained, noting the lack of nearby programs in some areas. His family’s solution, bringing the kids along to a downtown childcare, isn’t ideal, but it shows the determination of Detroit parents to make it work.
Safety is a concern on many parents’ minds, understandably. One young mother, LaToya, shared that she loves Detroit but gets nervous about crime: “A couple weeks ago I had an incident where I asked: ‘Are those fireworks or gunshots?’ … It was gunshots… I do fear moving out of my parents’ house with just my son… I’m a young woman with a small child, and people might prey on that.”. Her honesty underscores why safety stats matter, nothing affects a family’s day-to-day comfort more than feeling secure at home. At the same time, community activists like Ora Williams emphasize that progress is happening: “We now have a brand new Meijer [store] that opened up in our community, which has made it easier to get fresh fruit and vegetables… We have to realize that this is going to take all of us… If everybody pitches in and does their little bit, it will make Detroit a much better and safer place.”. This perspective, that Detroit’s revival is a collective effort, speaks volumes about the local mindset. Families here are not giving up. They’re organizing block clubs, revitalizing parks, advocating for better schools, and doing the little things that rankings can’t measure.
Bright Spots: Family-Friendly Communities in Metro Detroit
If the WalletHub study has a silver lining, it’s this reminder: “Just as with many things, location matters nearly above all. Find the right spot in Michigan to settle down and raise a family, and you’ll have a good experience.” In truth, Michigan is a patchwork of communities, some facing serious challenges, but others offering an idyllic environment for families. Let’s shine a light on some Metro Detroit areas that are known for being especially family-friendly, the kinds of places a “top Metro Detroit real estate expert” would enthusiastically recommend to parents.
- Northville – A charming suburb straddling Wayne and Oakland counties, Northville was recently ranked the #1 Detroit-area suburb for families. It offers a mix of modern housing and historic Victorian homes, highly rated schools, and a quaint downtown. Weekends might find families strolling to the local library (which hosts children’s events), playing in one of Northville’s numerous parks, or taking an art class at the community art house. The town’s blend of safety, community involvement, and top-notch schools makes it a magnet for young families.
- Bloomfield Hills & Berkley – These two very different suburbs both earned high praise in local rankings. Bloomfield Hills, an affluent Oakland County enclave, and Berkley, a smaller close-knit community, were highlighted for their **low crime rates and excellent school districts. Bloomfield Hills is known for beautiful neighborhoods and some of Michigan’s best public and private schools (though it comes with a hefty price tag). Berkley, on the other hand, is comparatively affordable and has a friendly, small-town vibe despite bordering bigger cities. Each exemplifies a safe, academically strong environment that families desire.
- Plymouth – Nestled midway between Detroit and Ann Arbor, Plymouth offers the best of both worlds: a picturesque, walkable downtown and convenient suburban living. Its central Kellogg Park is the heart of year-round family activities, from ice festivals in winter to concerts in summer. The Plymouth-Canton school district is well-regarded, and kids can enjoy plentiful parks, sports leagues, and community programs. It’s no surprise Plymouth often lands on “best places to raise a family” lists, it’s safe, vibrant, and full of activities for all ages.
- The Grosse Pointes – Just northeast of Detroit, the string of communities known as the Grosse Pointes (Grosse Pointe Woods, Farms, Park, Shores, and City) have long been synonymous with family-friendly affluence. Excellent public schools, beautiful lakefront parks, and low crime define these suburbs. Grosse Pointe Farms in particular was noted as one of the top Detroit-area family towns. Here, kids ride bikes along tree-lined streets, parents gather for youth soccer games on Saturday mornings, and families enjoy resident-only waterfront parks with swimming and boating in the summer. It’s a very “Norman Rockwell” kind of setting, right on Detroit’s doorstep.
- Troy & Novi – Among Metro Detroit’s larger suburbs, Troy and Novi stand out for their high-quality schools, diverse communities, and abundant amenities. Troy’s school district is acclaimed (several schools are National Blue Ribbon winners), and the city’s central location means families have easy access to metro-area attractions. Novi has seen tremendous growth; it boasts upscale shopping, a range of dining and entertainment options, and dozens of parks and nature preserves. Crucially, both Troy and Novi are extremely safe – Novi, for example, has a crime rate far below the national average (around 9 incidents per 1,000 people). These cities illustrate how many Metro Detroit suburbs combine affordability with a high quality of life.
- Grandmont-Rosedale & East English Village (Detroit) – Family-friendly living isn’t only found in the suburbs. Detroit itself is home to stable neighborhoods where families thrive. Grandmont-Rosedale, on the city’s northwest side, and East English Village on the east side, are two beloved examples. Residents in these areas often know their neighbors, take pride in their homes, and organize active neighborhood associations. Tree-lined streets, well-kept houses, and community parks give these pockets a suburb-in-the-city feel. As one Detroiter on a local forum put it, “Any of the stable middle class neighborhoods are great places to raise kids, Grandmont-Rosedale, East English Village, Green Acres…”. These neighborhoods show that even within a statistically “unfriendly” city, families can find safe and nurturing enclaves.
This is not an exhaustive list, Metro Detroit and Michigan at large have many more family-friendly communities (from Ann Arbor’s college-town charm, to Midland’s excellent schools and parks, to Marquette’s safe, outdoorsy environment in the U.P.). The key is that no ranking can capture the full picture. Averages and totals obscure the fact that Michigan offers a bit of everything: urban excitement, suburban comfort, small-town simplicity, and rural adventure. The challenge (and opportunity) for families is to find the community that fits their needs.
If you want a deeper dive into the “10 best places to live in Metro Detroit for families,” be sure to check out this Perna Team breakdown
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Michigan’s Path to a Family-Friendlier Future
It’s clear that Michigan has work to do to improve its family-friendliness on paper. Issues like poverty, crime, and education gaps won’t disappear overnight. However, as a lifelong Michigander, and someone who has spent years helping families find homes here, I see plenty of reasons for optimism. Michigan’s cities are reinventing themselves in ways that could boost their appeal to families in the coming years.
Detroit, for one, is investing heavily in quality-of-life improvements. Since 2015, the city has renovated more than 200 parks, adding playgrounds, sports fields, and splash pads in neighborhoods across the city, and just last year 44 parks got major upgrades worth $17.6 million. Programs are underway to ensure every Detroit home is within a 10-minute walk of a safe park, a transformative goal for children who need places to play. The city is also focused on revitalizing its schools. Charter schools and selective public schools are providing more high-quality options, and community organizations are stepping up with after-school programs, mentorship, and college readiness initiatives. It will take time, but these efforts are aimed at giving the next generation a better start.
Statewide, Michigan’s relatively low housing costs and strong economic development in certain sectors (like technology hubs in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, or the resurgence of manufacturing in electrification) could attract new families and investment. If those benefits can spread to struggling areas, the metrics, incomes, crime rates, school outcomes, will improve. Even small policy changes could help: for instance, expanding childcare subsidies or preschool access would address one major pain point for working parents. Community leaders and policymakers alike are recognizing that making Michigan more family-friendly isn’t just “nice to have”, it’s crucial for the state’s future. After all, today’s happy families are tomorrow’s productive workforce and engaged citizens.
In the meantime, Michigan families aren’t waiting on rankings to validate their lives. They’re busy organizing block parties, volunteering at PTA meetings, cheering on their kids at Little League games, and finding joy in all the local treasures that don’t show up in a statistic. From summer weekends up north on the lake, to winters spent at indoor play cafés and museums, raising a family in Michigan can be truly special, if you know where to look and make the effort to build your “village.”
For a closer look at Oakland County’s standout towns—like Huntington Woods and Novi—see our guide to the top cities to raise a family in Oakland County
Michigan may not top the “best place to raise a family” charts today, but the truth is far more interesting than a rank on a list. This state, and Detroit in particular, is a place of resilience, community, and opportunity hidden in plain sight. The key for any family (or anyone advising families) is to dig deeper: find the neighborhood with the supportive neighbors you crave, the suburb with the school program your kids need, or the city block on the upswing that you can help shape.
If you’re reading this as a parent or soon-to-be parent, don’t be discouraged by Michigan’s rankings. Instead, let them be a starting point. Ask the hard questions about schools, safety, and housing, and then go see for yourself. Take a weekend drive through Northville or Troy, stroll the parks in Rochester or St. Clair Shores, chat with parents at a playground in Detroit’s Midtown. You’ll likely encounter friendly faces who are frank about challenges but also quick to share why they love their community.
As a local real estate expert who’s helped many families find their Michigan home, I can confidently say: there is a perfect place for your family here in Michigan. It might not be the same for everyone, and that’s the beauty of it. So reach out, ask for local insight, and explore our communities. Whether you prioritize a big backyard, a walkable downtown, a top-rated school, or a diverse cultural scene, you’ll find a corner of Michigan that feels like home. And when you do, you’ll be joining a growing number of Michiganders who are writing a new story for our cities – one where family-friendly isn’t a ranking, but a daily reality.
Ready to discover your own Michigan story? Get in touch with a trusted local advisor or community group, and let a fellow Michigander show you around. The best way to judge a place is by living it, even if just for a tour or a conversation. You might be surprised at the warmth, pride, and potential that’s been here all along. After all, building a family is about finding your village, and here in Michigan, that village is waiting to welcome you.
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